Questions on making a melee-centric Earth/Earth

[TungstenShark]

So I want to try a melee-centric version of a Dominator and like the crunchy goodness of Earth Assault. Earth Control seems to have a lot of good control powers, so seems like a good pairing. I am trying to work on a build now and have some general questions about the combo as I can already tell slots will be hard to come by. The goal is to try and softcap S/L/E defenses.

 

Earth Control - what powers are skippable? At the moment I am skipping Stone Prison and Salt Crystals.

Earth Assault - what powers are skippable? I was never a fan of Hurl Boulder on the melee AT versions of Earth (animation is too long and I prefer to be melee anyway), but the others all look good. Do I need both Mallet attacks? Is the first auto-pick (Stone Spears) worth slotting?

ATOs - I am thinking of putting Ascendency into Stalagmites but unsure where best to put Dominating Grasp, currently in Volcanic Gasses.

Epic Pool - I am leaning toward Mace for Scorpion Shield and Poison Ray (one-slotted with Achilles for single hard targets). I could see Ice being useful for Sleet as well. Any feedback?

 

Any other general help or tips people have to share on the combo are always appreciated as well.

 

Here is my work in progress build.

 

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold(A), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg(5), SprEnt-End/Rchg(48), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End(50), SprEnt-Rchg/AbsorbProc(50)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(43), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- EnfOpr-Acc/Rchg(A), EnfOpr-EndRdx/Immob(7), EnfOpr-Acc/EndRdx(7), EnfOpr-Immob/Rng(11), EnfOpr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(11), EnfOpr-Acc/Immob(17)
Level 4: Tremor -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), Arm-Dmg(9), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(9), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Arm-Dam%(46)
Level 6: Quicksand -- PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(A)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(19), Rct-ResDam%(19)
Level 10: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(13), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(15), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(17)
Level 14: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Power Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Earthquake -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(21), AchHee-ResDeb%(21)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(23), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(25), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Mk'Bit-Dam%(46)
Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(25)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprDmnGrs-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(27), SprDmnGrs-EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(37), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprDmnGrs-Rchg/Fiery Orb(46)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Hct-Dam%(31), TchofDth-Dam%(33)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- SvrRgh-Acc/Dmg(A), SvrRgh-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SvrRgh-Acc/EndRdx(33), SvrRgh-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SvrRgh-Acc(34), SvrRgh-PetResDam(34)
Level 35: Mud Pots -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(36), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 38: Fissure -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), Rgn-Dmg(39), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(40), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(48)
Level 47: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Poisonous Ray -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Domination 
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 1: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(3)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(3), EndMod-I(5)
Level 10: Double Jump 
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Edited June 20, 2022 by TungstenShark

[Topography]

My main is Earth/Earth.  I would drop Mud Pots, as you are going to have enough end problems, haha.  Fissure seems to be meh.  I went with Ice Mastery.  Sleet pairs well with all the -def Earth Control brings.  Hoarfrost is nice to have for an all melee dom that doesn't have a heal.  Ice Storm gives you a nice aoe.

 

Check out this video of me and two other doms doing a hardcore ITF (Thanks again @Voltak for the video).

 

 

Edit: Copied the wrong link haha

Edited June 20, 2022 by Topography

[Voltak]

4 hours ago, Topography said:

My main is Earth/Earth.  I would drop Mud Pots, as you are going to have enough end problems, haha.  Fissure seems to be meh.  I went with Ice Mastery.  Sleet pairs well with all the -def Earth Control brings.  Hoarfrost is nice to have for an all melee dom that doesn't have a heal.  Ice Storm gives you a nice aoe.

 

Check out this video of me and two other doms doing a hardcore ITF (Thanks again @Voltak for the video).

 

 

Edit: Copied the wrong link haha

That's got to be one of the top earth doms build that I know of, and excellently played. 

[TungstenShark]

15 hours ago, Topography said:

My main is Earth/Earth.

Thanks @Topography, impressive video! Do you have a Mids build to review?

[Topography]

Here ya go!

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Earth Assault
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(3), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(3), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5)
Level 1: Stone Spears -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg(7), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprDmnGrs-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(11), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprDmnGrs-EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprDmnGrs-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(13), SprDmnGrs-Rchg/Fiery Orb(15)
Level 4: Tremor -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(15), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), FrcFdb-Rechg%(19)
Level 6: Quicksand -- DS:DSyncEndToHitDef(A)
Level 8: Spirit Ward -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 10: Stone Mallet -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(21), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(21), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), TchofDth-Dam%(25)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), SprAscoft-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(25), SprAscoft-EndRdx/Rchg(27), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(27), SprAscoft-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Power Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Earthquake -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(29)
Level 20: Heavy Mallet -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(31), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(31), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), TchofDth-Dam%(33)
Level 22: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(33), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(34), UnbGrd-Max HP%(34), GldArm-3defTpProc(34), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(36)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(36), ShlWal-Def(36), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(37), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(37), Ksm-ToHit+(46)
Level 26: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def(37), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(39), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(39), ShlWal-EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 28: Seismic Smash -- Hct-Dam%(A), UnbCns-Dam%(40), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(40), SprAscoft-Rchg/+Dmg%(40), TchofDth-Dam%(42), Hct-Dmg(42)
Level 30: Tactics -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 32: Mystic Flight -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 35: Sleet -- DS:DSyncSlowRechEnd(A)
Level 38: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 41: Frozen Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(43), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(43), ShlWal-EndRdx/Rchg(43), ShlWal-Def(45), Rct-ResDam%(45)
Level 44: Hoarfrost -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(45), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 47: Rune of Protection -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(47), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(47), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(47)
Level 49: Ice Storm -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(49), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(49), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(49), Rgn-Knock%(50)
Level 1: Domination 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), EndMod-I(9)
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon 
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion 
Level 50: Task Force Commander 
Level 50: Portal Jockey 
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve 
------------

[TungstenShark]

8 hours ago, Topography said:

Here ya go!

Thanks! Your build is very fine-tuned for the highest level of content. Really impressive work!

[Topography]

18 hours ago, TungstenShark said:

Thanks! Your build is very fine-tuned for the highest level of content. Really impressive work!

Thank you!